Lexi Thompson will retire from professional golf at the end of the 2024 season, calling time on a decorated career at the age of 29, the American announced on Tuesday.
The 11-time LPGA Tour champion revealed her decision ahead of her 18th consecutive US Women’s Open appearance this week, 17 years since she burst onto the scene when – at just 12-years-old – she became the then-youngest player to ever qualify for the tournament.
Having turned professional three years later in 2010, the Floridian clinched major glory at the 2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship – now the Chevron Championship – and represented Team USA at six Solheim Cups, as well as two Olympic Games.
“While it is never easy to say goodbye, it is indeed time,” Thompson wrote in a letter, accompanied by a video, on Instagram.
“I’m excited to enjoy the remainder of the year as there are still goals I want to accomplish. I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my life. Time with family, friends, and my trusted companion [dog], Leo.
“I will always look for ways to contribute to the sport and inspire the next generation of golfers. And of course, I look forward to a little time for myself.”
Thompson peaked as high as world No.4 as she amassed a string of titles, but injuries contributed to a gradual drop in ranking to world No. 54. She has not registered a victory on the LPGA Tour since June 2019, but did win an individual title at the Aramco Team Series – a Ladies European Tour (LET) event – in October 2022.
Finishing eight times inside the top-three at the five flagship events, Thompson repeatedly came agonizingly close to adding to her sole major crown, including an infamous near-miss at the 2017 ANA Inspiration (now Chevron Championship).
A rules violation for mismarking her ball – reported by a TV viewer – saw Thompson hit with a four-shot penalty during the third round. Though she rallied to make a playoff, she was subsequently defeated by South Korea’s Ryu So-yeon.
“You haven’t always been easy on me, or fair for that matter, but through all the ups and downs, you’ve given me a platform to inspire others and positively impact the world,” Thompson said in her letter.
“That has been a driving force that kept me playing and relentlessly working to be better.”
‘A whirlwind of constant attention, scrutiny and pressure’
Thompson spoke through tears during a press conference at Pennsylvania’s Lancaster Country Club, US Women’s Open host, on Tuesday.
Her letter described a “whirlwind of constant attention, scrutiny and pressure” since her breakthrough as a 12-years-old, with social media playing its part in Thompson sometimes finding it “exhausting to maintain a smile on the outside while grappling with struggles on the inside.”
Asked what she was most proud of for overcoming during her career, a tearful Thompson answered: “Just staying true to myself. Being out here can be a lot. It can be lonely.
“I’ll be the last one to say like throw me a pity party. That’s the last thing I want. We’re doing what we love. We’re trying the best every single day. You know, we’re not perfect. We’re humans. Words hurt. It’s hard to overcome sometimes.
“But having the people around you that love you and support you, I feel like that’s been the biggest thing for me. I might not have a huge friend group, but to have the people that matter the most around me have gotten me through some really hard times.”
